Discussion

KY Bourbon barrel Ale-First taste

WOW!! Has anyone tried this?? I had it for the first time at an "Irish" pub at the Polaris Mall in Columbus Ohio...I thought it was fantastic. They only serve it in 10 OZ glasses cause it's so strong. Looks like the home base is in Lexington KY..ROADTRIP!!!

SInce the home base is listed as Lexington, I presume the OP is talking about the Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale by Lexington Brewing Co. Comes in a very intersting blue container.

I tasted it in the bottle a couple of years ago and had mixed feelings about it (great flavor but marred by low carbonation and a somewhat aqueous mouthfeel) but from the reviews I have read it is apparently much better on tap.

Seems to be the newest fad in "craft" brewing. Haven't had a commercial example that I liked, but have experimented with it in home brewing...porter, winter strong ale, and the like. The trick is not getting too much wood character in the beer..it can get pretty cloying. As far as carbonation goes, less is generally better. Most American beer is way too carbonated...all that co2 just masks the flavors, especially in a strong, long aged beer.

Off the top of my head, I have been impressed by the bourbon barrel aged beers from Founders (Kentucky Breakfast Stout), Goose Island (Bourbon County Brand Stout) and Lost Abbey (Angel's Share).

In general, I agree with your comments and have tasted quite a few bourbon barrel beers that are way over the top with the wood. Regarding carbonation, it really depends on the style for me, but these types of beers would be negatively impacted by over-carbonation.

i actually got lucky after I befriended the beer mgr at Oaktree in NJ over the weekend and he brought me a KBS from a secret stash in the backroom. I had it for breakfast w my inlaws the next morning (I couldn't wait). I have to say it was the best stout I have ever tried. Just a great beer. I'm already planning a side trip to Grand Rapids when I go out to MI in the summer.

To be honest, I think KBS might be one of the best beer I've ever had, and I've had many many good beers. GI BCS comes a close second for me in the stout category, but I just cant help but love the vanilla flavor in KBS

Not to sidetrack this discussion, but I just tasted a variation on BCS tonight called Night Stalker. Same malt base, but instead of the bourbon barrel it is dry hopped with a blend of eight different hops. Currently available in draft only, I spoke with the brewer who told me that it will be bottled at some point in the next year. Extraordinary stuff.